| One of the most common ideas in the martial | | | | Now, remember; I didn't say you couldn't get it on |
| arts, regardless of whether we're talking about | | | | him either. So, before you get your ego out of |
| ninjutsu, or any other style is that of the | | | | check, think about several realities that exist |
| "unbeatable technique." In fact, countless black | | | | within the context of a street attack that do not |
| belts, many of them instructors, brag to others | | | | exist within training - no matter how "real" your |
| every day - telling everyone that, "I've got a | | | | training is: |
| technique you can't get out of!" | | | | 1) You're assailant will not be your friend - at least |
| Unfortunately, these misguided souls have either | | | | not in the context of a friend who trains with you |
| been taught, or have allowed themselves to | | | | and wants to see you do well. |
| believe that... | | | | 2) The attacker has already determined that he |
| 1) Unbeatable techniques exist, and/or... | | | | has some kind of distinct advantage over you |
| 2) A real-life, brutal attacker is going to treat | | | | (size, strength, speed, weapons, etc.) that make |
| them the same way that their training hall sparring | | | | you an easy target for him. |
| partners do! | | | | 3) There will be no agreed-upon rules, or referees |
| The reality of a real-world attack situation is that | | | | to keep the fight "fair!" |
| both combatant's - not just the defender - will be | | | | 4) The law will not be on your side if you |
| under the influence of the adrenal response, | | | | overstep your rights and leave the realm of |
| commonly known as the fight or flight mechanism. | | | | justifiable self defense. What this means is that |
| What this means is that, contrary to what you're | | | | your "unbeatable technique" may land you in jail! |
| used to experiencing in your martial arts or self | | | | And... |
| defense classes, you will be dealing with an | | | | 5) If you look like you're winning, his friends will |
| attacker who is stronger, faster, and more | | | | probably jump on you to save their friend. So, if |
| determined to damage you, than any training | | | | you're super-technique is a ground, or other |
| partner you've ever had. | | | | submission hold, you just might find your ribs, |
| "But, I've had some pretty tough training | | | | head, or teeth getting kicked in while you've tied |
| partners," you might say. And that may be true. | | | | yourself to your opponent! |
| In fact, you might even be one of today's MMA | | | | What this all means is that, if you're focus is on |
| tough-guys, and been up against people who were | | | | real-world self protection and not sport or |
| willing to beat or choke you into unconsciousness. | | | | competitive fighting, then you must avoid falling |
| But, the question is... | | | | into the same delusional thinking that many martial |
| ...were they willing to go to jail for years, or even | | | | arts and self defense students have blinded |
| the rest of their lives to get what they wanted | | | | themselves with. You must remember that a |
| from you? | | | | street self defense attack is unpredictable, out of |
| No matter how tough you and your training | | | | your control, and completely without a sense of |
| partners may be in the dojo, unless you're both | | | | fair-play or concern for your well-being. |
| willing to break, maim, or kill each other - for real | | | | It is not a fight, in the same sense as a boxing or |
| - then you aren't willing to go as far as a potential | | | | MMA bout, or the adolescent fights of our high |
| attacker might! | | | | school years. A self defense situation involves an |
| So, what's the point of all this? The point is... | | | | attack, not an agreement - spoken or unspoken - |
| Whatever you think your skills to be, and | | | | about what is and is not allowed. |
| regardless of how much you've been taught or | | | | And to win, you must be able to do more than |
| believe that you have some magical, unbeatable | | | | execute a few tricky, physical techniques. You |
| technique, you can never forget the reality that... | | | | must be able to: |
| Your attacker is never going to let you put that | | | | - Quickly assess the situation |
| technique on him! | | | | - Think strategically, and... |
| Do you understand the truth behind that | | | | - Take whatever targets or opportunities come |
| statement? Does that mean that I'm saying your | | | | available to you! In an attack situation, you will |
| techniques don't really work? | | | | have seconds to respond to what he throws at |
| No. What I'm saying is - you are going to have to | | | | you - not minutes as in a sporting match. |
| be very good at setting up a real-world, | | | | And, regardless of whether or not you've go a |
| "intent-on-beating-the-you-know-what-out-of-you," | | | | truly unbeatable technique - you can never forget |
| street attacker, in order to be able to get it on | | | | that... |
| him! In short... | | | | ...he's never going to let you use it on him. You're |
| You're going to have to EARN it! | | | | going to have to earn it! |